Well on their way to a seventh consecutive season without the playoffs, fans of the Oilers are probably long past being sick of trying to find the upside in losing. Despite that, one last run of terrible play – say five losses in their final seven games to match the current five-game losing streak – could be exactly what the team needs, for three reasons.

Everywhere you look, there are legions with reasons the Edmonton Oilers are in dire straits today. Don Cherry thinks they need to add fear, others suggest a powerforward, still others want another Pronger (where is that guy anyway?). The truth now is as it has always been: the Edmonton Oilers don't have enough actual NHL players.

It's that time again Calgary. You managed to get ahead of the Mighty Oil by a measly two goals last Battle of Alberta. Fortunately the good guys dug deep and managed to pump eight straight past your goaltending duo. Eight. Straight. Goals.

Let the soundtrack be the sequel to Gangham Style which dropped today. We have a few things to say.

You cannot play hockey without passion. No passion, no success. Very simple. Skill, size, loud home rink, perfect systems and awesome goaltending are valuable to any team but if the group of players on the team do not play with passion all those pieces will not fit together. Something will be missing.